To hear calls of the rare California Gnatcatcher, turn up the sound and click on the video at right. The photographer had to move quickly so it's a bit jumpy and hard to follow but there are some great shots, especially if you watch full screen and click the pause button to get a good look. These birds are very tiny, adorable, sweet, and quite delightfulto behold.

Bulldozing Plans Will Kill Last Rare Animals and Plants

Endangered Species laws are to save animals on the verge of extinction• Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve is public land that was dedicated for the protection of ecologically sensitive species. The State of California bought the 640-plus-acre reserve at a cost of $140 million that had been financed through the people with public funds from Wildlife Conservation bonds.• And yet, the Ballona Wetlands habitat could be radically changed and the current protected species killed or displaced by three State of California agencies. •These plans would Introduce polluted water to the area, along with a complete and massive re-landscaping, transforming the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve into something it never has been, a fully tidal wetlands that would not be a genuine restoration. Additionally, such massive changes would kill or displace the endangered animals that are protected by law.There is no time to wait.Agencies like the Department of Fish and Wildlife are required to wait for an EIR process to be completed to prevent abuse of governmental powers. But we are not required to wait. We should make our concerns known now while we can still effect decisions that will be made.

Click the button below if you'd like help with a letter to elected officials asking them to preserve Ballona Wetlands in its present state: